Golf-club carrier



Aug. 14, 1951 G. M. WICK GOLF CLUB CARRIER 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Aug. 15, 1947 Jail,

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GOLF CLUB CARRIER Filed Aug. 15, 1947 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 QT; i Z I fills:

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Patented Aug. 14, 1951 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE GOLF-CLUB CARRIER George Malcolm Wick, Ridgewood, N. J. Application August 15, 1947,'Serial N... 768,883

2Claims. (Cl. ISO-1.5)

1 This invention relates to golf-club carriers; and the invention has reference, more particularly, to a novel form and construction of golfclub carrier which is especially adapted for selfcarriage by a golf playeig'whereby the necessity for employing the services of a caddy is avoided.

The invention has for an object to provide a simple, strong and light weight golf-club carrier which is so designed and constructed as to be adapted to be selectively carried in several convenient ways, in any of which the point of. suspension thereof is so located with reference to. the center of gravity of the carrier and its golf-club content that the same is balanced to carry with maximum ease and comfort, and with minimum consciousness of weight or burden.

, The invention has for another object to provide a novel golf-club carrier which can be suspended from either an apparel belt or shoulder strap or sling worn by the user, so as to hang close to the usefs body at the hip in such manner-as to leave both hands of the user'free, and so asv to permit unhampered bodily movements of the user, and yet, when thus suspended, the weight of the carrier and its club content will be "so balanced relative to its center of gravity as tocause neither chafing movement of the shoulder strap or sling upon the users shoulders, or chafing movement of the apparel belt against the users body.

A further object of the invention is to provide a golf-club carrier which possesses a generous club holding capacity, and which is so designed that selection, removal and replacement of clubs is easily and quickly accomplished; the carrier being also provided, at its bottom end, with a plurality of ground piercing spikes, whereby, during moments of play, it may be disposed in firmly fixed upstanding position upon the ground conveniently adjacent to the place of play.

Other objects of this invention, not at this time more particularly enumerated, will be unend of the carrier enlarged, taken on line 4-4 in Fig. 1; Fig. 5 is a fragmentary View similar to that of Fig. 4, but showin the cushioning element of the bottom cup of the carrier in part section; Fig. 6 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view of a somewhat modified bottom cup; and Fig. 7 is a view similar to that of Fig. 3, but showing a modified construction. I

Fig. 8 is a'pictorial view showing the carrier as hand carried in one manner; and Fig. 9 is a similar pictorial view showing the carrier as hand carried in another manner.

Fig. 10 is a pictorial view showing the carrier as disposed in upstandin position on the ground adjacent to a position of play taken b the user.

" Fig. ll is a face elevational viewof the carrier,

in part section, showing a modified mounting of the bottom cup thereof; and Fig. 12 is a side elevational view of the same.

Fig. 13 is an enlarged fragmentary view, in part section, ShOWiIlg a modified form of ground piercing spike structure with which the carrier maybe provided.

Fig. '14 is a pictorial view showing the carrier as suspended for carriage by the user from an apparel belt worn by the latter; Fig. 15 is an enlarged face view of a carrier suspension hook for application to an apparel belt worn by the user; 'Fig. 16 is a horizontal sectional view through said suspension hook as applied in one manner to the users apparel belt; Fig. 17 is a vertical sectional view, taken on line ll-ll in Fig. 16; Fig. 18 is a horizontal sectional view through the suspension hook as applied in another manner to the users apparel belt; and Fig. 19 is a vertical sectional view, taken on line 19-49 in Fig. 18. Figs... 20 and 21 are pictorial views showing the carrier as suspended for carriage by the user from a shoulder strap or sling worn by the latter;- Figs. 22 and 23 are respectively front and side elevational views showing one manner of attaching a carrier suspension hook to a shoulder strap or sling; Fig. 24 isa front elevational view showing another manner of attaching a carrier suspension hook to. a shoulder strap or sling; and.Fig.I25 is a vertical sectional view, taken on line 25'25 in Fig. 24.

Similar characters of reference are employed in' the above described views, to indicate corresponding parts.

p, Referring to the drawings, the novel golf-club members or legs 30 which are joined at their upper ends by an upwardly bowed arcuate top section 3|. Said frame is preferably produced from a single length of light weight tubular metallic stock, such e. g. as aluminum tubing, but

it may optionally be produced from solid metallic rod stock, or from tubular or solid stock of materials other than metal. Aflixed to the upper end of the frame between the side members or legs 36 and adjacently beneath the top section 3i thereof is a top ring 32. This top ring is also preferably made from tubular metallic stock, such as aluminum tubing, and is preferably joined with th respective side members or legs 39 by mating indented interlock notches 33 and 34 with which said side members or legs 30 and top ring 32 are respectively provided, whereby the internal and external diameters of said top ring coincide respectively with the inner and outer surfaces of said side members. In Figs. 2 and 3 such assembly of frame and top ring is shown as made from tubular stock, and in Fig. 7 said assembly is shown as made of solid stock. If desired, the frame and top ring may be additionally secured in assembled relation'iby means of rivets 34*, or equivalent fastening means, as also shown in Fig. 7.

Afiixed to the lower end of the frame, between the extremities of the side members or legs 30, is an upwardly open bottom cup 35 of substantial depth. Said bottom cup 35 is also preferably made of metallic material, such as aluminum, and in one arrangement thereof is immovably affixed to the frame side members or legs 30 by rivets or like'fastening means 36. If desired, the sides of said bottom cup may be interlocked with the frame side members or legs 30 by mating indentations 31 and 38 with which the former and the latter may be respectively provided (see Figs. 4 and Seated on and suitably adhered to the bottom interior of the cup 35 is a cushioningpad 39 which is made of resilient material, such e. g. as either solid or spong rubber.

The side members or legs '30 of the frame each terminate in ground piercing pointed spikes 40 which project downwardly beyond the bottom plane of the bottom cup 35. These spikes 40 are preferably made of hard and tough metal, such as steel, and may possess either smooth sides or fluted sides, the latter being shown more particularly in Fig. 6; Said spikes 40 may be rigidly coupled with the side members or legs as by shanks ll (see Fig. 6') or they may be coupled to said side members or legs by ball and socket joints 42 as shown in'Fig. l3, whereby, in the "latter case, the spikes are capable of limited deflection relative to the axes ofthe side members or legs so that the spikes may yield laterally to. some extent, should a sub-surface stone be encountered thereby when the same are thrust into the ground. If desired, the spikes 40 may be detachably connected with the side members or legs 30.

As shown in Figs. 11 and 12, the bottom cup may be so mounted between and afllgred to the extremities of the frame side members or legs 30 as to be capable of lateral tilting movemerits relative to the perpendicular plane of the frame. In such case, the external dia eter of the bottom cup 35 corresponds to the width of the space intermediate the side members or legs at, and side walls of said bottom cup are pivotally connected to said side members or legs by pivoting rivets 43 or the like. When the frame, with the bottom cup so mounted thereon, is

erected on an inclined ground surface by entering the spikes of the frame in the ground, the bottom cup will automatically tilt so as to conform its bottom surface to the inclination of the ground, thus firmly and securely supporting the carrier in upstanding position relative to the inclined ground surface.

The carrier, characterized by the general structure above described, is of somewhat less length, from the bottom of the bottom cup to the top end of the carrier, than the length of golf-clubs desired to be carried therein. To deposit the golf-clubs to be carried in the carrier, the club shafts, .with the club heads upward, are passed downwardly through the interior of the top ring 32 until the hand grip ends of the club shafts enter .thehottom' cup 35, so as to be non-injuriously supported on the cushioning pad 39 within the latter. As thus supported, the golfclubs will be encircled and retained in place by the embrace of said top'ring 32. It will be obvious that, as 'so disposed, the golf-clubs are not only suitably supported for'carria'ge, but are also conveniently exposed for selection, removal and replacement by the player. The novel carrier is especially designed for self-carriage by a golf player so that necessity for employment of, a caddy by the latter may be avoided. Owing to the'form and'charact'r' of the structure, the carrier and its contentof golf-c1ubs can be easily and comfortably carried along by the player as the latter movesfrom point to point over a'golf course. Preparatoryto moments of play, th player erects the carrier on the ground adjacent to the point of play (see Fig. 1 0). This is done by standing the carrier on the ground, and then, by application of downthrusting'foot pressure applied to the top edge of the bottom cup 35, causing the spikes lo'to penetrate the ground, whereby to anchor the carrier in upstanding fixed position. Since each side member or leg 30 possesses a ground piercing spike 40, it will be obvious that the" thus space a s k s w l p ovi e a doub e an? chorage so that the carrier will be firmly suppo nd main ain d in e e t sta in P9 1: tion and securely held against over-turning or falling andspilling of the golf-clubs therefrom.

When moving from point to point over a golf course, the player can conveniently carry along in the carrier a desired assortment of e'Qlf-c'lubs. The length of the carrier is less than that of the clubs, but is so proportioned to the average length of the latter that. the top end of the carrier, in.-

cluding the top ring 32 ,will be located in such relation to the center of gravity of the carrier and its content of clubs as will cause thesa me to assume a well balanced and inclined easy carrying position when suspended from a point of in; tersection of said top ring 3; w ith'a side member or leg 30. For eXample, the carrier may be as ed b e u ers d a a o n Mi ter: on of t e :99 ri g 3 with a s de m mber 0.! leg 38 so as to be suspended in such ino linedb'a'lance from the hand (see Fig. 8 or the user may pass an arm betweenthe side members or legs 39 and beneath the top ring 32, sot'hat the car er will be suspended from the arm in equally nicely balanced condition (see Fig, 9) By reason of such balanced suspension, the sense ot burde'n and weight is considerably diminished to the comfort of the user. u v

The carrier of this invention is especially adapted forv convenient and comfortable'oarria ge by the user as optionally Suspended ri'dm an all parel belt, or from a shoulder strap or sling, worn by the user.

For suspension from an apparel belt which encircles the waist of the user, a novel suspension hook (see Figs. 14 to 19 inclusive) is provided for cooperation with the carrier. In a preferred form thereof, said suspension hook comprises a wire formation, the wire being bent upon itself to provide oppositely extending wing loops 44 and 45 disposed to extend in the plane of the body of a belt 46 to which it is to be applied. Upper inner end portions of said wing loops terminate in a pair of cross bars i! which extend downwardly, and adjacent one to the other, intermediate the wing loops, and which terminate in upturned hook elements 48. In applying such suspension hook to the users belt 48, the body of the belt is threaded through the wing loops and over the cross bars 47, either behind the former and in front of the latter (see Figs. 16 and 17), or in front of the forn er and behind the latter (see Figs. 18 and 19) ,thus operatively mounting the suspension hook on said belt. The suspension hook is slidably adjusted along said belt to dispose the hook 43 over and preferably somewhat rearwardly of the line of the hip of the wearer. It will be obvious that, when it is desired to transport the carrier and its content of golf-clubs, a side member or leg 38 of th carrier can be hooked into the hook element as so as to engage the latter beneath the top ring When the carrier is so attached to the users belt, it will swing from the hook in nicely balanced inclined suspension at the side and somewhat behind the users body. As thus suspended, the carrier and its content of golf-clubs may be easily and comfortably transported without interfering with free bodily movements of the user, either in walking about or in bending over, while at the same time leaving both hands of the user free for other uses (see Fig. 14).

Optionally, the carrier and its content of golfclubs may be suspended for carriage on the body of the user by means of a shoulder strap or sling 49 adapted to be engaged or slung over a shoulder of the users body so as to cross the chest and back of the user, with its terminal portion disposed adjacent to a hip of said user. The ends of said shoulder strap or sling 49 are engaged in meeting relation, and aflixed thereto is a suspension hook 50, either by riveting a base 5| of a hook and the strap or sling ends together (see Figs. 22 and 23), or by linking an eye 52 of a hook to the strap or sling ends by a clip 53 which embraces and is suitably secured to the latter (see Figs. 24 and 25), or by otherwise suitably attaching the hook 50 to the strap or sling. From an inspection of Figs. 20 and 21, it will be apparent that, when it is desired to transport the carrier and its content of golf-clubs, a side member or leg 39 can be hooked into the hook 50 so as to engage the latter beneath the top ring 32. In this manner the carrier will be suspended in nicely balanced inclined position at the side and somewhat behind the users body, in which posi-- tion it offers no undue interference with free bodily movements of the user, and also leaves both of the users hands free for other uses. Owing to the balanced suspension of the carrier, and its free swinging support by the hook 50, no tendency of the same to cause sliding or slipping movements of the shoulder strap or sling 49 upon the users shoulder occurs, even when theuser stoops or bends over, and consequently chafing of the shoulder is avoided, and consequently the comfort and ease of the user is further assured.

Having now described my invention, 1 claim:

1. A golf-club carrier comprising an inverted U-shaped frame member formed from a single length of metallic stock doubled upon itself to provide laterally spaced parallel side legs, g, transverse horizontal top ring affixed to and between said side legs adjacently below the closed upper end of said frame member, and an upwardly open bottom cup affixed to and between the lower end portions of said side legs, the distance between said bottom cup and top ring being somewhat less than the lengths of golf-clubs to be supported by the carrier.

2. A golf-club carrier comprising an inverted U-shaped frame member formed from a single length of metallic stock doubled upon itself to provide laterally spaced parallel side legs, a transverse horizontal top ring affixed to and between said side legs adjacently below the closed upper end of said frame member, and an upwardly open bottom cup affixed to and between the lower end portions of said side legs in upwardly spaced relation to the extremities of the latter, the distance between said bottom cup and said top ring being somewhat less than the lengths of golf-clubs to be supported by the carrier, and said side legs each terminating in ground piercing spikes projecting below the bottom cup.

GEORGE MALCOLM WICK.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 279,706 Carroll June 19, 1883 463,811 Kohn Nov, 24, 1891 485,922 Fleisher Nov. 8, 1892 757,845 Bassett Apr. 19, 1904 892,991 Hepworth July 14, 1908 1,273,201 Teuber July 23, 1918 1,424,139 Loman July 25, 1922 1,488,389 Hibbert Mar. 25, 1924 1,693,889 Dick Dec. 4, 1928 1,696,062 Thurlow et a1 Dec. 18, 1928 1,924,546 Garfinkel Aug. 29, 1933 2,006,920 Hotze July 2, 1935 2,064,433 Kronthal Dec. 15, 1936 2,091,298 Agnew Aug. 31, 1937 2,367,234 Mitchell Jan. 16, 1945 

